Council to spend £140k on premises for bookies

Caren McPate

Controversial plans by cash-strapped East Dunbartonshire Council to spend £140,000 refurbishing new premises for a bookmakers have been approved.

The planning board agreed to move Betfred from it current premises in Main Street, Lennoxtown, to the former housing office across the road. The council want to use the building as part of a development for a new community hub.

Councillors visited the site earlier this week before making a decision.

The council will pay £140,000 to refurbish the new premises and charge the bookies just £1 per year in rent for the first five years.

The controversial deal will also see the council underwrite any loss of profit Betfred encounter during the first five years of the lease.

The council will be allowed to monitor the Betfred accounts and the bookies is obliged to mitigate any losses associated with their relocation.

The move has been slammed by Campsie and Kirkintilloch North councillor David Ritchie who voted against the plans.

He said: “This was the last attempt to stop it. They have let down the people of Lennoxtown.”